3 Factors That Could Decide a Season Defining Clash Between NorthEast United and FC Goa

FC Goa will host NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Friday knowing that a win could mean a huge step in their credentials to attain a play-off berth in the Indian Super League.

The Highlanders meanwhile, will hope to get closer to league leaders Bengaluru FC with all three points.

Here are three things to watch out for in this game....

3. Battle of superstar strikers

FC Goa striker Ferran Corominas and NorthEast United forward Bartholomew Ogbeche have been two of the top performing foreigners in the Indian Super League this season.

Both attacking superstars have scored eight goals each and are front-runners in the battle to clinch the Golden Boot in this campaign.

2. Goa's attacking prowess to test NorthEast's defensive resilience

While Goa and NorthEast both possess incredible attacking threat, the Highlanders are the ones who have a better overall defensive record this season as compared to the Gaurs.

Goa can definitely strike goals for fun having already scored 22 this season, more than any other team, but their defence have conceded 16 goals in return.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders have just conceded nine goals in this campaign, having scored 15 in 11 games. Tonight promises to be an exciting battle between defence and attack from both teams.

1. Intriguing head-to-head record

Both these teams have previously faced each other on nine occasions with FC Goa claiming three wins as compared to NorthEast United's two.

As many as four games between these two sides have ended in draws. Regarding the goals scored against each other, FC Goa have managed to net 15 against the Highlanders, who in-turn have scored 12 goals against the Gaurs.